US11175046B2

US11175046B2 - Combustor premixer assembly including inlet lips

Info

Publication number: US11175046B2
Application number: US16/407,990
Authority: US
Inventors: David A. Lind; Ajoy Patra; Ting-Yu Tu; Pradeep Naik; Gregory A. Boardman
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2019-05-09
Filing date: 2019-05-09
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Also published as: US20220042683A1; EP4220012A1; CN115234939B; CN111911959B; US20200355371A1; EP3736495B1; CN111911959A; CN115234939A; EP3736495A1; US11971172B2

Abstract

A premixer assembly for a combustor includes: at least one ring of premixers, each premixer having a central axis, an annular peripheral wall surrounding a centerbody, and at least one swirler disposed between the centerbody and the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall defines an inlet area of the premixer; and a lip extending forward along the central axis from the peripheral wall, the lip extending at an oblique angle to the axis of symmetry.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to combustors, and more particularly to gas turbine engine combustor premixers.

A gas turbine engine typically includes, in serial flow communication, a low-pressure compressor or booster, a high-pressure compressor, a combustor, a high-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine. The combustor generates combustion gases that are channeled in succession to the high-pressure turbine where they are expanded to drive the high-pressure turbine, and then to the low-pressure turbine where they are further expanded to drive the low-pressure turbine. The high-pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the high-pressure compressor via a first rotor shaft, and the low-pressure turbine is drivingly connected to the booster via a second rotor shaft.

One type of combustor known in the prior art includes an annular array of domes interconnecting the upstream ends of annular inner and outer liners. These may be arranged, for example, as “single annular combustors” having one ring of domes, “double annular combustors” having two rings of domes, or “triple annular” combustors having three rings of domes.

Typically, each dome is provided with a premixer cup (or simply “premixer”). The premixer cups are arranged in radially-adjacent annular rings.

One problem with such premixers is they have discrete blunt inlets which causes improper flow feed to premixer cups not well aligned with the diffuser discharge, resulting in poor total pressure recovery. Furthermore, blunt premixer inlets cause poor air flow feed to inner and outer combustor liner flow passages, resulting in poor back flow margins for the turbine nozzle cooling flows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This problem is addressed by a combustor premixer including one or more inlet lips adjacent or between premixers.

According to one aspect of the technology described herein, a premixer assembly for a combustor includes: at least one ring of premixers having a central axis, an annular peripheral wall surrounding a centerbody, and at least one swirler disposed between the centerbody and the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall defines an inlet area of the premixer; and a lip extending forward along the central axis from the peripheral wall, the lip extending at an oblique angle to the central axis.

According to another aspect of the technology described herein a combustor for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular inner liner; an annular outer liner spaced apart from the inner liner; a domed end disposed at an upstream end of the inner and outer liners, the domed and including at least two concentric annular domes; each dome including an annular array of premixers, each premixer having a central axis, an annular peripheral wall surrounding a centerbody, and at least one swirler disposed between the centerbody and the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall defines an inlet area of the corresponding premixer, and wherein intermediate passages are defined between adjacent ones of the two or more premixers; and a lip extending forward along the corresponding central axis from at least one of the peripheral walls, the lip extending at an oblique angle to the corresponding central axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art gas turbine engine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, half-sectional view of a prior art combustor used with the gas turbine engine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of a premixer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a premixer assembly for use with the combustor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the premixer assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an alternative premixer assembly for use with the combustor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the premixer assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of an alternative premixer assembly for use of the combustor shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the premixer assembly of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gas turbine engine 10 including a low-pressure compressor 12, a high-pressure compressor 14, and a combustor 16. Engine 10 also includes a high-pressure turbine 18 and a low-pressure turbine 20. Compressor 12 and turbine 20 are coupled by a first shaft 21, and compressor 14 and turbine 18 are coupled by a second shaft 22. A load (not shown) is also coupled to gas turbine engine 10 with first shaft 21. First and

second shafts

21, 22 are disposed coaxially about a centerline axis 11 of the engine 10.

It is noted that, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “longitudinal” both refer to a direction parallel to the centerline axis 11, while “radial” refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and “tangential” or “circumferential” refers to a direction mutually perpendicular to the axial and radial directions. As used herein, the terms “forward” or “front” refer to a location relatively upstream in an air flow passing through or around a component, and the terms “aft” or “rear” refer to a location relatively downstream in an air flow passing through or around a component. The direction of this flow is shown by the arrow “F” in FIG. 1. These directional terms are used merely for convenience in description and do not require a particular orientation of the structures described thereby.

In operation, air flows through low pressure compressor 12 and compressed air is supplied from low pressure compressor 12 to high pressure compressor 14. The highly compressed air is delivered to combustor 16. Airflow from combustor 16 drives

turbines

18 and 20 and exits gas turbine engine 10 through a nozzle 24.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a cross-sectional view and an enlarged partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of combustor 16 used in gas turbine engine 10 (shown in FIG. 1). Because a fuel/air mixture supplied to combustor 16 contains more air than is required to fully combust the fuel, and because the air is mixed with the fuel prior to combustion, combustor 16 may be describe as a lean premix combustor. Accordingly, a fuel/air mixture equivalence ratio for combustor 16 may be less than one. Furthermore, because combustor 16 does not include water injection, combustor 16 is a dry low emissions combustor. Combustor 16 includes an annular outer liner 40, an annular inner liner 42, and a domed end 44 extending between outer and

inner liners

40 and 42, respectively. Outer liner 40 and inner liner 42 are spaced radially inward from a combustor casing 45 and define a combustion chamber 46. Combustor casing 45 is generally annular and extends downstream from a diffuser 48. Viewed in half-section, the diffuser 48 has a diffuser axis 49 which extends through the midpoint of and normal to an exit plane 51 of the diffuser 48. Combustion chamber 46 is generally annular in shape and is disposed radially inward from

liners

40 and 42. Outer liner 40 and combustor casing 45 define an outer passageway 52 and inner liner 42 and combustor casing 45 define an inner passageway 54. Outer and

inner liners

40 and 42 extend to a turbine nozzle 55 disposed downstream from diffuser 48.

Combustor domed end

44 includes a plurality of domes 56 arranged in a triple annular configuration. Alternatively, combustor domed end 44 includes a double annular configuration. In another embodiment, combustor domed end 44 includes a single annular configuration. An outer dome 58 includes an outer end 60 fixedly attached to combustor outer liner 40 and an inner end 62 fixedly attached to a middle dome 64. Middle dome 64 includes an outer end 66 attached to outer dome inner end 62 and an inner end 68 attached to an inner dome 70. Accordingly, middle dome 64 is between outer and

inner domes

58 and 70, respectively. Inner dome 70 includes an inner end 72 attached to middle dome inner end 68 and an outer end 74 fixedly attached to combustor inner liner 42.

Each dome 56 includes a plurality of premixer cups (interchangeably referred to herein as “premixers”) 80 to permit uniform mixing of fuel and air therein and to channel the fuel/air mixture into combustion chamber 46. Each premixer cup 80 includes a centerbody 82, an inner swirler 84, an outer swirler 86, and an axis of symmetry 88 extending from an upstream side 90 of dome 56 to a downstream side 92 of dome 56. In one embodiment, inner swirler 84 and outer swirler 86 are counter-rotating. Each centerbody 82 is disposed co-axially with dome axis of symmetry 88 and includes a leading edge 100 and a trailing edge 102. In one embodiment, centerbody 82 is cast within premixer cup 80.

Each inner swirler 84 is secured to a centerbody 82 radially outward from centerbody 82 and includes a leading edge 104 and a trailing edge 106. Each outer swirler 86 is secured to an inner swirler 84 radially outward from inner swirler 84.

A hub 112 separates each inner swirler 84 from each outer swirler 86 and an annular mixing duct 120 is downstream from inner and

outer swirlers

84 and 86, respectively. Mixing duct 120 is annular and is defined by an annular wall 122. Annular mixing duct 120 tapers uniformly from dome upstream side 90 to dome downstream side 92 to increase flow velocities within mixing duct 120.

Centerbody

82 also includes a cylindrically-shaped first body portion 130 and a conical second body portion 132. Second body portion 132 extends downstream from first body portion 130.

Centerbody

82 is hollow and includes a first orifice 140 extending from an outer surface 142 of centerbody 82 to an inner passageway 144. First orifice 140 is disposed at a junction between centerbody first body portion 130 and centerbody second body portion 132. First orifice 140 is a fuel port used to supply fuel to premixer cup 80 and inner passageway 144. Orifice 140 is in flow communication with a fuel nozzle 146 positioned at centerbody leading edge 100.

A plurality of second passageways 150 extend through centerbody 82 and are in flow communication with an air source (not shown). Passageways 150 permit small amounts of air to be supplied to combustor 16 to prevent wake separation adjacent centerbody 82.

Combustor domed end 44 also includes an outer dome heat shield 160, a middle dome heat shield 162, and an inner dome heat shield 164 to insulate each

respective dome

58, 64, and 70 from flames burning in combustion chamber 46. Outer dome heat shield 160 includes an annular endbody 166 to insulate combustor outer liner 40 from flames burning in an outer primary combustion zone 168. Middle dome heat shield 162 includes annular heat shield centerbodies 170 and 172 to segregate middle dome 64 from outer and

inner domes

58 and 70, respectively. Middle dome heat shield centerbodies 170 and 172 are disposed radially outward from a middle primary combustion zone 174.

Inner dome heat shield 164 includes an annular endbody 180 to insulate combustor inner liner 42 from flames burning in an inner primary combustion zone 182. An igniter 184 extends through combustor casing 45 and is disposed downstream from outer dome heat shield endbody 166.

Domes

58, 64, and 70 are supplied fuel and air via a premixer and assembly manifold system (not shown). A plurality of fuel tubes 200 extend between a fuel source (not shown) and domes 56. Specifically, an outer dome fuel tube 202 supplies fuel to premixer cup 80 disposed within outer dome 58, a middle dome fuel tube 204 supplies fuel to premixer cup 80 disposed within middle dome 64, and an inner dome fuel tube (not shown) supplies fuel to premixer cup 80 disposed within inner dome 70.

During operation of gas turbine engine 10, air and fuel are mixed in premixer cups 80 prior to the fuel/air mixture exiting dome 56 and entering combustion chamber 46.

As seen in FIG. 3, the domed end 44 is offset from the diffuser 48 in the radial direction. More specifically, the diffuser axis 49 is not coincident with the axis of symmetry 88 of the middle premixer 80 (or in fact, any of the premixers 80). Furthermore, the diffuser axis 49 is not parallel to the axis of symmetry 88 of any of the premixers 80. In practice, this offset relationship in combination with the conventionally-shaped blunt inlet lips of the premixers 80 has a tendency to cause improper flow feed of air exiting the diffuser 48 to the premixers 80, resulting in undesirable pressure losses and improper flow feed for the outer and

inner passageways

52, 54.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of a premixer assembly 300 suitable for inclusion in a combustor such as the combustor 16 described above. The premixer assembly 300 includes features which improve the flow feed to individual premixers.

The premixer assembly 300 includes a stem 302 which extends in a radial direction from an outboard end 304 to an inboard end 306. The stem 302 includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart legs 308 which define an open flow space 310 therebetween. One or more premixers (denoted 312 generally) are disposed between the legs 308. In the illustrated example, there is an outer premixer 312A, a middle premixer 312B, and an inner premixer 312C. Each of the premixers 312A, B, C is generally similar in construction to the premixer 80 described above and includes a centerbody 314 including a fuel-discharging orifice 315 and positioned within a peripheral wall 316, an inner swirler 318, and an outer swirler 320. While the centerbody 314 as shown is configured to inject liquid fuel, the concepts described herein are also applicable to gas fuel or dual-fuel (i.e. liquid/gas) premixers. The centerbody 314 would be modified in accordance with known principles in order to inject gas fuels and/or dual fuels. For reference purposes, each peripheral wall 316 may be described as having an outboard wall portion 317 and an inboard wall portion 319. An inner surface 321 of the peripheral wall 316 defines the outer boundaries of an inlet flow area 323 adjacent an upstream inlet end of the premixer 321. Elements of the premixers 312A, B, C not specifically relevant to the present invention are omitted from FIGS. 4 and 5 for clarity. Elements of the premixers 312A, B, C not specifically described may be considered to be identical to the premixer 80 described above.

In practice, an annular array or a ring of premixer assemblies 300 would be provided for a combustor, such as combustor 16. When arranged in an annular array, the premixers 312A, B, C of the premixer assemblies 300 collectively define a ring of outer premixers 312A, a ring of middle premixers 312B, and a ring of inner premixers 312C.

The premixer assembly 300 includes an outboard intermediate passage 322 disposed between the outer premixer 312A and the middle premixer 312B, and an inboard intermediate passage 324 disposed between the middle premixer 312B and the inner premixer 312C.

At least one of the premixers 312A, B, C is provided with a lip extending from its forward end. The purpose of the lip is to capture and redirect airflow into the associated premixer 312A, B, C. As used herein, the term “lip” refers to a structure that extends at an oblique angle to a centerline axis of the premixer. In some embodiments, the lip extends at least partially into the projected frontal area of the inlet flow area 323. Stated another way, the lip of such an embodiment would block at least some portion of the inlet projected area when viewed in a forward-looking-aft orientation. Stated another way, a lip of such an embodiment extends at an oblique angle to the axis of symmetry so as to cross at least a portion of a forward projection of the inlet area of the corresponding premixer. In other embodiments, the lip extends away from a mixer centerline to define a bell mouth shape. Any of the lips described herein may be of varying axial lengths to suit a specific application. In general, the lips can function to guide the flow into the premixer they are disposed around or they can function to help guide flow to a radially adjacent mixer or combustor passage.

In the illustrated example, the outer premixer 312A has an outer premixer outboard lip 326 which extends forward along the premixer axis and radially inboard from the outer wall portion 317 of the outer premixer 312A. It has a convex leading edge 327. In front view (FIG. 4), its overall shape is curved in the same direction as the outer wall portion 317, i.e. convex radially outward relative to a central axis 301 of the outer premixer 312A. The premixer central axis 301 may be parallel to or oblique to the engine centerline 11. As a general statement, the surface of the lip facing towards the axis of the individual premixer (i.e. the lip's inner surface, labeled 325) may be curved in the same direction as the wall of the individual premixer. The opposite surface (i.e. the lip's outer surface, labeled 329) could be curved about the premixer centerline or another centerline such as the engine axial centerline 11. The lip's outer surface may be concave, straight, or convex relative to the axial centerline of the individual premixer. This shaping may be applied to any of the lips on any of the premixers described herein.

The outer premixer 312A further includes an outer premixer inboard lip 328 which extends forward along the premixer axis and radially inboard from the inner wall portion 319 of the outer premixer 312A. It has a convex leading edge 330.

The middle premixer 312B includes a middle premixer outboard lip 332 which extends forward along the premixer axis and radially inboard from the outer wall portion 317 of the middle premixer 312B. It has a convex leading edge 334. As seen in FIG. 5, the outer premixer inboard lip 328 can extend generally parallel to the middle premixer outboard lip 332, or it can extend at a different angle. A passage 336 extends between the outer premixer inboard lip 328 and the middle premixer outboard lip 332, communicating with the outboard intermediate passage 332.

A middle premixer-inner premixer fairing 338 interconnects the inner wall portion 319 of the middle premixer 312B and the outer wall portion 317 of the inner premixer 312C. It has a convex leading edge 340 and tapered transition portions 342 which are curved in the same direction as the inner and outer wall portions for the respective premixers.

Finally, an inner premixer inboard lip 344 extends forward along the premixer axis and radially outboard from the inner wall portion 319 of the inner premixer 312C. It has a convex leading edge 346. In side view (FIG. 5), it is curved radially outboard. In front view (FIG. 4), it is shown as being curved in the same direction as the inner wall portion 319, i.e. concave radially outward, but it could have an alternative shape as described above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a premixer assembly 400 suitable for inclusion in a combustor such as the combustor 16 described above.

The premixer assembly 400 includes a stem 402 which extends in a radial direction from an outboard end 404 and an inboard end 406. The stem 402 includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart legs 408 which define an open flow space 410 therebetween. One or more premixers (denoted 412 generally) are disposed between the legs 408. In the illustrated example, there is an outer premixer 412A, a middle premixer 412B, and an inner premixer 412C. Each of the premixers 412A, B, C is generally similar in construction to the premixer 80 described above and includes a centerbody 414 including a fuel-discharging orifice 415 and positioned within a peripheral wall 416, an inner swirler 418, and an outer swirler 420. While the centerbody 414 as shown is configured to inject liquid fuel, the concepts described herein are also applicable to gas fuel or dual-fuel (i.e. liquid/gas) premixers. The centerbody 414 would be modified in accordance with known principles in order to inject gas fuels and/or dual fuels. For reference purposes, each peripheral wall 416 may be described as having an outboard wall portion 417 and an inboard wall portion 419. An inner surface 421 of the peripheral wall 416 defines the outer boundaries of an inlet flow area 423 adjacent an upstream inlet end of the premixer 421. Elements of the premixers 412A, B, C not specifically relevant to the present invention are omitted from FIGS. 6 and 7 for clarity. Elements of the premixers 412A, B, C not specifically described may be considered to be identical to the premixer 80 described above.

In practice, an annular array or a ring of premixer assemblies 400 would be provided for a combustor, such as combustor 16. When arranged in an annular array, the premixers 412A, B, C of the premixer assemblies 400 collectively define a ring of outer premixers 412A, a ring of middle premixers 412B, and a ring of inner premixers 412C.

The premixer assembly 400 includes an outboard intermediate passage 422 disposed between the outer premixer 412A and the middle premixer 412B, and an inboard intermediate passage 424 disposed between the middle premixer 412B and the inner premixer 412C.

At least one of the premixers 412A, B, C is provided with a lip extending from its forward end.

In the illustrated example, the outer premixer 412A has an outer premixer outboard lip 426 which extends forward along the premixer axis and radially inboard from the outer wall portion 417 of the outer premixer 412A. It has a convex leading edge 427. In front view (FIG. 6), it is curved in the same direction as the outer wall portion 417, i.e. convex radially outward.

An outer premixer-middle premixer fairing 428 interconnects the inner wall portion 419 of the outer premixer 412A and the outer wall portion 417 of the middle premixer 412B. It has a convex leading edge 430 and tapered transition portions 432 which are curved in the same direction as the inner and outer wall portions for the respective premixers.

A middle premixer-inner premixer fairing 438 interconnects the inner wall portion 419 of the middle premixer 412B and the outer wall portion 417 of the inner premixer 412C. It has a convex leading edge 440 and tapered transition portions 442 which are curved in the same direction as the inner and outer wall portions for the respective premixers.

Finally, an inner premixer inboard lip 444 extends forward along the premixer axis and radially outboard from the inner wall portion 419 of the inner premixer 412C. It has a convex leading edge 446. In side view (FIG. 7), it is curved radially outboard. In front view (FIG. 6), it is shown as being curved in the same direction as the inner wall portion 419, i.e. concave radially outward, but it could have an alternative shape as described above.

Optionally, the premixer assembly 400 may be modified by the incorporation of additional injection points at the inlet of each premixer 412. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more injection holes 448 are provided at inlet-adjacent locations such as the outer premixer outboard lip 426, the outer premixer-middle premixer fairing 428, the middle premixer-inner premixer fairing 438, or the inner premixer inboard lip 444. The injection holes 448 may be coupled in fluid communication with a source of a secondary fluid such as gaseous fuel or steam. Appropriate equipment such as tanks, manifolds, piping, valves, and pumps may be provided for this purpose.

A secondary fluid system is shown schematically at 450 including a fluid supply 452, control valve 454, and supply piping 456. It will be understood that a fluid flowpath may be provided between the supply piping 456 and the additional injection holes 448 which passes through the premixer assembly 400. For example, internal passages may be provided in the stem legs 408 and premixers 412. Each injection hole 448 is shown communicating with a gallery forming a portion of an internal flowpath. The injection holes 448 may be coupled to independently-controllable circuits, such as one circuit for each premixer 412. In some embodiments, the secondary fluid system 450 may be a part of an existing engine system such as a fuel delivery and metering system.

The secondary fluid injected through the injection holes 448 may be used for different purposes. For example, steam may be injected from the injection holes 448 for the purpose of power augmentation. Alternatively, fuel injected from the injection holes 448 may provide for combustion dynamic suppression. For example, a relatively small amount of gaseous fuel (e.g. less than 20% about of total premixer flow) discharged through the injection holes 448 upstream of the swirlers may be effective to smear out the fuel-air premixing, reducing equivalence ratio waves which can drive unsteady heat-release that can couple with chamber/combustion acoustics, driving dynamics.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a premixer assembly 500 suitable for inclusion in a combustor such as the combustor 16 described above.

The premixer assembly 500 includes a stem 502 which extends in a radial direction from an outboard end 504 and an inboard end 506. The stem 502 includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart legs 508 which define an open flow space 510 therebetween. One or more premixers (denoted 512 generally) are disposed between the legs 508. In the illustrated example, there is an outer premixer 512A, a middle premixer 512B, and an inner premixer 512C. Each of the premixers 512A, B, C is generally similar in construction to the premixer 80 described above and includes a centerbody 514 including a fuel-discharging orifice 515 and positioned within a peripheral wall 516, an inner swirler 518, and an outer swirler 520. While the centerbody 514 as shown is configured to inject liquid fuel, the concepts described herein are also applicable to gas fuel or dual-fuel (i.e. liquid/gas) premixers. The centerbody 514 would be modified in accordance with known principles in order to inject gas fuels and/or dual fuels. For reference purposes, each peripheral wall 516 may be described as having an outboard wall portion 517 and an inboard wall portion 519. An inner surface 524 of the peripheral wall 516 defines the outer boundaries of an inlet flow area 523 adjacent an upstream inlet end of the premixer 512. Elements of the premixers 512A, B, C not specifically relevant to the present invention are omitted from FIGS. 8 and 9 for clarity. Elements of the premixers 512A, B, C not specifically described may be considered to be identical to the premixer 80 described above.

In practice, an annular array or a ring of premixer assemblies 500 would be provided for a combustor, such as combustor 16. When arranged in an annular array, the premixers 512A, B, C of the premixer assemblies 500 collectively define a ring of outer premixers 512A, a ring of middle premixers 512B, and a ring of inner premixers 512C.

The premixer assembly 500 includes an outboard intermediate passage 522 disposed between the outer premixer 512A and the middle premixer 512B, and an inboard intermediate passage 524 disposed between the middle premixer 512B and the inner premixer 512C.

At least one of the premixers 512A, B, C is provided with a lip extending from its forward end.

In the illustrated example, an outer premixer-middle premixer fairing 528 interconnects the inner wall portion 519 of the outer premixer 512A and the outer wall portion 517 of the middle premixer 512B. It has a convex leading edge 530. It is tapered in thickness from aft to forward, with the smallest thickness being at the leading edge 530. The fairing 528 is asymmetric with respect to the premixer axis. In front view (FIG. 8), the leading edge 530 is shown as being substantially straight across, but it could have an alternative shape as described above.

A middle premixer-inner premixer fairing 538 interconnects the inner wall portion 519 of the middle premixer 512B and the outer wall portion 517 of the inner premixer 512C. It has a convex leading edge 540 and tapered transition portions 542 which are curved in the same direction as the inner and outer wall portions for the respective premixers.

Finally, an inner premixer inboard lip 544 extends forward along the premixer axis and radially outboard from the inner wall portion 519 of the inner premixer 512C. It has a convex leading edge 546. In side view (FIG. 9), it is curved radially outboard. In front view (FIG. 8), it is shown as being curved in the same direction as the inner wall portion 519, i.e. concave radially outward, but it could have an alternative shape as described above.

Optionally, the premixer assembly 500 may be modified by the incorporation of additional injection points at the inlet of each premixer 512. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, one or more injection holes 548 are provided at inlet-adjacent locations such as the outer premixer-middle premixer fairing 528, the middle premixer-inner premixer fairing 538, or the inner premixer inboard lip 544. The injection holes 548 may be coupled in fluid communication with a source of a secondary fluid such as gaseous fuel or steam. Appropriate equipment such as tanks, manifolds, piping, valves, and pumps may be provided for this purpose.

A secondary fluid system is shown schematically at 550 including a fluid supply 552, control valve 554, and supply piping 556. It will be understood that a fluid flowpath may be provided between the supply piping 556 and the injection holes 548 which passes through the premixer assembly 500. For example, internal passages may be provided in the stem legs 508 and premixers 512. Each injection hole 548 is shown communicating with a gallery forming a portion of an internal flowpath. The injection holes 548 may be coupled to independently-controllable circuits, such as one circuit for each premixer 512. In some embodiments, the secondary fluid system 550 may be a part of an existing engine system such as a fuel delivery and metering system. Operation may be as described above for secondary fluid system 450 and injection holes 448.

The premixer apparatus described herein has advantages over the prior art. It will reduce overall combustion system pressure loss. It improves back flow margin to downstream components (e.g., nozzles, turbines)

It will improve flow uniformity to premixers enabling them to perform more efficiently and reduce the risk of flame-holding or flashback because there is less vane-to-vane flow variation.

Improved premixer inlet pressure recovery can enable more flow for a given mixer size or allow for a smaller mixer to be used to achieve the same flow

This will lead to improved engine performance due to lower pressure loss, improved component durability due to higher back flow margins, improved premixer durability due to higher potential mixer pressure differential. Improved combustion system fuel flexibility due to higher potential mixer pressure differential and flow uniformity.

The foregoing has described a premixer assembly for a combustor. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A premixer assembly for a combustor, comprising:

at least one ring of premixers, each premixer having a central axis, an annular peripheral wall including a radially inboard wall portion and a radially outboard wall portion, the peripheral wall surrounding a centerbody, and at least one swirler disposed between the centerbody and the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall defines an inlet flow area of the premixer, wherein the at least one ring of premixers is arranged in two or more radially adjacent rings;

a lip extending from the radially inboard wall portion of one of the peripheral walls, the lip extending forward along the central axis from the peripheral wall, the lip extending at a first oblique angle to the central axis; and

a fairing that interconnects the radially inboard wall portion of a first one of the peripheral walls to the radially outboard wall portion of a second one of the peripheral walls that is adjacent the first one of the peripheral walls, such that the fairing blocks off an intermediate passage between the first one of the peripheral walls and the second one of the peripheral walls,

wherein the fairing extends at a second oblique angle to the central axis so as to cross at least a portion of a forward projection of the inlet flow area of one of the first one of the peripheral walls and the second one of the peripheral walls.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lip is concavely curved in the same direction as the radially inboard wall portion.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein there are three rings of premixers defining two intermediate passages therebetween.

4. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising one or more fluid injection holes disposed in the lip.

5. A combustor for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

an annular inner liner;

an annular outer liner spaced apart from the inner liner;

a domed end disposed at an upstream end of the inner and outer liners, the domed end including at least two concentric annular domes;

each dome including an annular array of premixers, each premixer having a central axis, an annular peripheral wall including a radially inboard wall portion and a radially outboard wall portion, the peripheral wall surrounding a centerbody, and at least one swirler disposed between the centerbody and the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall defines an inlet flow area of the corresponding premixer, and wherein intermediate passages are defined between adjacent premixers;

a lip extending forward along the corresponding central axis from at least one of the peripheral walls, the lip extending at a first oblique angle to the corresponding central axis; and

a fairing that interconnects the radially inboard wall portion of a first one of the peripheral walls to the radially outboard wall portion of a second one of the peripheral walls that is adjacent the first one of the peripheral walls, such that the fairing blocks off the intermediate passage between the first one of the peripheral walls and the second one of the peripheral walls,

6. The combustor claim 5 wherein:

the lip extends from the radially inboard wall portion of one of the peripheral walls.

7. The combustor of claim 6 wherein the lip is concavely curved in the same direction as the radially inboard wall portion.

8. The combustor of claim 5 wherein there are three premixers defining two intermediate passages.

9. The combustor of claim 5 further comprising:

one or more fluid injection holes disposed in the lip; and

a source of a secondary fluid coupled in fluid communication with the one or more fluid injection holes.